Nitric oxide as a key regulator of extracellular matrix modulation during ovarian follicle development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55184/ijpas.v78i02.569Keywords:
Folliculogenesis, Matrixmetalloproteases, nitric oxideAbstract
Background: Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is important for maintaining the architecture of the ovarian follicles undergoing follicullogenesis and ovulation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their modulators,tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are crucial for the ECM modulation. Nitric oxide, the ubiquitous molecule, which is produced by the ovarian follicular cells, is involved in the folliculogenetic pathway, which may play a role in the ovarian ECM modulation.
Objective: Our study is aimed to determine the regulatory expresssion of extra cellular matrix (ECM) in NO altered milieu during ovarian follicle development.
Methodology: Adult female rats were injected bilaterally into the periovarian sac (intrabursal injection;ib) with NOS inhibitor L-Nitro arginine methyl ester (L- NAME) and NO generator sodium nitropruside (SNP) at their estrous phase to modulate in vivo NO generation. Ovaries were collected in the following estrous phase. Paraffin embedded 5 micrometre sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome stains. ECM specific markers MMP9, TIMP1, RECK and SPARC proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot.
Results: Rats treated with NO inhibitor L-NAME showed less number of fresh corpus luteum compared to control and SNP treated group. Collagenase activity was decreased in L-NAME treated group. ECM proliferation was decreased in case of L-NAME treated ovary, which was reversed in SNP treated ovaries. MMP9 and SPARC expressions were low and TIMP1and RECK expressions were high in NO inhibitor treated ovary.
Conclusion: Our data shows that NO is responsible for cellular proliferation and potentially alters the expression of extracellular matrix proteins in ovary and thus playing an important role in maintaining female reproductive health and fecundity.
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